High Times (song)
| "High Times" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Jamiroquai | ||||
| from the album Travelling Without Moving | ||||
| B-side | "High Times (Remix)" | |||
| Released | 1 December 1997 | |||
| Recorded | 1996 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | Sony Soho Square | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Rick Pope | |||
| Jamiroquai singles chronology | ||||
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"High Times" is the fourth and final single from British funk/acid jazz band Jamiroquai's third studio album, Travelling Without Moving. The song peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 10 on the American and Canadian dance charts.
Background
The song was written by Jason Kay. The song begins with the quote "You don't need a name in bright lights, you're a rock star. In some tinfoil, with a glass pipe, is your guitar." This refers to crack cocaine. Both cocaine, and many other drugs are referenced in the song, all in a negative light, but it is jet lag the main reference during the chorus, "Last night, turned to daylight and a minute became a day", a desynchronosis that is often caused when travelling around the world during the tours. The radio edit of the song is widely ridiculed among fan circles for its poor editing. There are some abrupt cuts in the song, and some words are cut out in an odd manner, such as the word "this" from the "This twisted, crystal kingdom" line. The Radio Edit was featured on the group's greatest hits compilation, High Times: Singles 1992-2006. Some releases of Travelling Without Moving include a version of the song without the sample "Last Night Changed It All" as sung by Esther Williams and written by Joe Wheeler.[1]
Music video
The music video for this song is filmed like a documentary with an inexpensive digital camera by the band manager of the band during the Latin American tour. In the video, the group is shown landing in a city airport, happy and excited. The remainder of the video shows candid scenes of Jamiroquai laughing at jokes, television, and having general fun. Chilean fans appreciated this music video for lead singer Jay Kay's cultural jacket throughout the video. However, the last few seconds were censored in some countries due to the usage of marijuana.
Track listing
UK CD single
- "High Times (Radio Edit)" – 4:08
- "High Times (Bionic Supachronic Mix)" – 8:38
- "High Times (Doobie Dub)" – 6:46
- "High Times (Album Version)" – 5:57
UK 12" single
- "High Times (Bionic Supachronic Mix)" – 8:38
- "High Times (Jamiroquai Mix)" – 4:00
- "High Times (Doobie Dub)" – 6:46
- "High Times (Jamiroquai Dub)" – 5:30
Remixes
Roger Sanchez Mixes
- "High Times (Bionic Supachronic Mix)" – 8:38
- "High Times (Doobie Dub)" – 6:46
- "High Times (Sanchez Radio Mix)" – 3:50
Jay Kay Mixes
- "High Times (Jamiroquai Mix)" – 4:00
- "High Times (Jamiroquai Dub)" – 5:30
Charts
| Chart (1997–1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[2] | 9 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[3] | 55 |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[4] | 19 |
| Scotland (OCC)[5] | 23 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 20 |
| UK Dance (OCC)[7] | 5 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[8] | 4 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[9] | 9 |
References
- ^ Funkin.com
- ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3532." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 51. 20 December 1997. p. 12. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (29.1–5.2. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 30 January 1998. p. 22. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Jamiroquai Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
